Parliamentarians and Mainstreaming Energy Access
Gregory Woodsworth
Energy Policy Advisor
United Nations Development Programme

EAC energy access strategy
84% of households use biomass
3% rural, 32% urban connected to grid
Bonn Conference, GFSE, E4D
Ministers: Move beyond Business as Usual
Commitment to meet the MDGs
MDG framework: domestic fuels, electricity where cost effective, motive power
Energy Access = Electrification from national grid

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Energy Access Strategy Profile
will provide improved energy access for about 50% (48 million people) of the regionŐs population.
Energy access targets can be met with an approach that has high impact, low cost and is scaleable by 2015
Development of priority MDG-based energy access investment programmes
EAC - regional coordinating institution

MDG-based
Energy targets for 2015
Target 1: Enable the use of modern fuels for 50% of those who at present use traditional biomass for cooking - improved cookstoves, reduce indoor air pollution, increase sustainable biomass production.
Target 2: Access to electricity for all urban and peri-urban poor.
Target 3:  Access to modern energy services such as lighting, refrigeration, information and communication technology, and water treatment and supply for all schools, clinics, hospitals and community centres.
Target 4: Access to mechanical power within the community for all communities for heating and productive uses.

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Overall Investment Plan
Mainstreaming Energy Access
Investments will not happen without prioritization of energy access
Mainstreaming energy access at present:
Political commitment; approval by EAC Council of Ministers and Heads of State (top down)
Technical response; multi-sectoral working groups  (bottom up)

Working Hypothesis
Strategies that provide:
regional and national quantifiable and time-bound energy access targets,
programme implementation frameworks,
investment plans, and
Backed by political commitment,
     present Parlimentarians the means to influence the policy framework (PRSP) and budgetary allocations (MTEF)
Mechanisms:
finance/budget committees and
sector committees
Special cases: Constituency Development Funds

More Questions than Answers
Role of parliament in influencing energy access policy framework and budgetary allocations?
What can parliamentarians do with a regional strategy vs. energy access legislation?
Relationship between regional and national assemblies?
What are the most effective interventions?
Awareness raising?
Capacity building?
Model legislation?
Technical support?